Print from a virtual machine
There are a few methods we can use to make a printer available to a virtual machine.
To share a local USB printer
Use this method if the printer driver is available for both the hosting Windows 7 and the guest Operating System.
- Make sure the printer is turned on and that the printer driver is available for installation. Redirect the printer to the virtual machine. From the virtual machine window, click USB and then click Attach [device name].
- Install the printer driver in the guest operating system.
- Release the printer from the virtual machine. From the virtual machine window, click USB and then click Release [device name].
- Restart the virtual machine. From the virtual machine window, click Action and then click Restart.
- Navigate to the virtual machine desktop, and log on if necessary
- The printer will now be available in the host Windows 7 operating system and the guest operating system.
To configure a network printer for a virtual machine
- Navigate to the virtual machine desktop, and log on if necessary.
- Open Control Panel, and then open Printers.
- Click Add Printer. The Add Printer Wizard opens.
- On the Local or Network Printer page, select the network printer option and complete the wizard.
If your guest operating system is Windows XP, you must manually install the printer driver for each printer.
To install a printer driver in Windows XP
- Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
- Under Printer Tasks, click Add a printer. The Add Printer Wizard opens.
- On the Local or Network Printer page, select Local printer attached to this computer and clear automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer.
- On the Select a Printer Port page, click the drop-down control and select one of the TS number ports and click Next.
- On the Install Printer Software page, select Windows Update or Have Disk and complete the wizard.
To print from a virtual machine
- Navigate to the virtual machine desktop, and log on if required.
- Do one of the following:
- From the desktop of the virtual machine, right-click a file and click Print.
- Open any application that includes a print option, and then use the print command.
- All printers available to the virtual machine are listed. Select a printer, and then click OK.